Edge construction for skis



Feb. 1, 1966 E. s. GRAVES, JR 3,232,630

EDGE CONSTRUCTION FOR SKIS Filed April 24, 1964 l2 IO FIG. 3 l4 l6 '8 (28 I l6 ,l8 20 ,Is ,24

INVENTOR. E. SELMAN GRAVES, JR.

ATTORNEYS Uited States Patent 3,232,630 EDGE CQNSTRUCTION FOR SKIS Erving Selman Graves, in, Marblehead, Mass., assignor to The Graves Corporation, Marhlehead, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Apr. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 362,297 7 Claims. (Cl. 28ti11.13)

The present invention relates to skis and more particularly to metal edge constructions for skis of molded resin composition.

In the case of conventional wooden skis, the metal edges required for proper gripping on hard snow and ice have generally been in the form of flat metal strips, secured in shallow rabbets in the ski bottom so as to be substantially flush with the running surface. The strips are secured by small flat-headed screws and are generally in short lengths, such as six to ten inches, to minimize the tendency to loosen due to differential elongation and contraction during flexing of the ski, and also for ease of repair through replacement of individual sections.

More recently, skis of composite metal and wood construction have been successfully produced in which the edge strips are secured to the metal plate structure of the ski to provide a continuous support for the edge strips.

The present invention is directed to skis of molded resin construction, preferably incorporating glass fibers, to provide optimum longitudinal flexing characteristics, substantial resistance to twisting, and the ability to bend far beyond normal limits without breaking. For such skis, conventional edge constructions are unsuitable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an edge strip construction adapted to be molded into the ski body at the time of manufacture, the strip being constructed and arranged to be strongly anchored in place so as to withstand extreme flexing of the ski and also to resist contact with rocks and stumps tending to tear the strip laterally from the ski. It is likewise an object of the invention to provide an edge strip construction which in itself is relatively flexible so as not to impair the desired flexing characteristics of the ski. Still another object of the invention is to provide an edge strip which requires that only a narrow portion of the strip be exposed to the snow, to minimize sliding friction.

The drawings which illustrate the edge strip and its mounting on the ski are on a somewhat enlarged scale for purposes of clarity. In these drawings,

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of a portion of a ski embodying the edge strip of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view, partly broken away, of a similar portion of the ski of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ski, taken in a region intermediate the central portion and an end.

FIG. 4 is an oblique view, on a considerably enlarged scale, of a portion of the edge strip prior to incorporation in the ski.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of an edge strip embodying a modification of the invention.

The edge strips of the invention are adapted for use in skis of conventional configuration, having the usual upturned tip at the forward end and with the body tapering in thickness toward each end from the central region where the harness is mounted. The skis are of composite construction, comprising a central core of wood or molded cellular material within a thermoplastic or a thermosetting resin body 12 preferably reenforced with glass fibers 14 extending longitudinally of the ski. By suitable choice of wall thickness, the number of fibers employed and their distribution in the regions around the core, the flexing characteristics of the skis may be con- 2 trolled, while providing, as a result of the box section, great resistance to twisting with consequent marked advantages in gripping during turns.

The edge strips of the invention are adapted to be molded in place during the fabrication of the ski, and have a configuration which provides an extremely strong but flexible strip that exposes only a minimum amount of metal to the snow. As illustrated on a somewhat enlarged scale in the drawings, the strips comprise an outer or corner portion 16 having an exposed surface 18 preferably flush with the running surface of the ski. Because of the strength provided by the edge construction, this exposed face 18 may be only slightly wider than the thickness of the strip, as seen at the exposed side surface 20.

The edge strips include a web portion 24 of reduced thickness, extending inwardly form the exposed corner portion. From this web portion integral tongues 28 and 30 project into the body of the ski. Preferably these tongues employ a T-shaped configuration so as to become strongly anchored within the resin structure of the ski during the molding of the ski itself. The positive mechanical retention provided by the interlocking or keying of the tongues within the ski structure results in far greater strength of attachment than any construction dependent merely on surface adhesion between metal and resin.

To enhance the anchoring effectiveness of the tongues while retaining a light weight structure, some of the tongues project in a generally horizontal direction into the body of the ski, while other tongues are advantageously bent at right angles to the plane of the web 24 so as to extend upwardly into the side region of the ski. As best shown in FIG. 3, tongues 23 represent the horizontal tongues which extend into the underbody of the ski beneath the core 10, while the alternate, bent tongues 30 project upwardly alongside the core. As a result, tongues 28 cooperate and lock with one group of longitudinal strands of reenforcing fibers in one region of the ski, while the other tongues 30'reach into and become anchored with another group of fibers in a different region of the ski. The angular relation of the two series of locking tongues provides great resistance to twisting of the strip relative to the ski as well as enhancing the resistance to outward separation.

A modification of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein one series of tongues 34 is made somewhat longer than another series of tongues 36. As a result, tongues 34 project further into the ski body than the tongues 36 of another horizontal series, enabling the tongues of one series to be associated with one group of longitudinal strands of reenforcing fibers in the underbody of the ski intermediate the core and the running surface, while the tongues of another series are disposed in a slightly different region of the ski underbody adjacent another group of longitudinal fibers.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention, by use of a plurality of locking tongue elements extends laterally at frequent intervals from the continuous portion of the edge strip into the body of the ski, provides an extremely strong integral mounting of the edge strip within the body of the ski. As a consequence, the strip may be of relatively thin stock so as to permit a fairly hard alloy to be utilized without risk of breaking even if the ski is accidentally bent far beyond its normal limits. Furthermore, the strips are effectively anchored against longitudinal movement so that no loosening due to differential longitudinal and lateral expansion and contraction can take place even though single, fulllength strips are employed along each edge. By way of example, a heat-treatable stainless alloy may be utilized, so that the strip may be formed by a suitable punching operation and then heat-treated for strength and hardness.

a The web region of reduced thickness is formed by grinding or rolling prior to the punching, forming and heat treating. After heat treatment, the side edge 20 may be ground to provide a sharp corner at 16 to bite into hard crust and ice.

In the manufacture of the skis, the edge strips are held in place in proper realtion to the side and bottom surfaces of the ski by magnetic or other suitable means with the locking tongues embedded in the resin, while the resin cures. By reason of the projection of the tongues into different regions of the ski, any tendency of the tongues to form continuous cleavage lines in the plastic body is avoided. There results a construction that provides great strength without dependence on surface adhesion between metal and resin, and instead makes use of a series of positive mechanical interlocks of the parts to resist both longitudinal slippage and lateral dislocation. Along with this extremely strong integral embedding of the metal edge in the resin body of the ski, the construction of the invention provides inherent flexibility, together with a minimum amount of metal surface exposed at the running and side faces of the ski.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in terms of a particular embodiment and alternative modification thereof, it will be understood that modifications in arrangement and configuration may be made and are comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A ski of molded resin reinforced with a plurality of generally parallel, laterally spaced and longitudinally extending fibers, said ski having continuous metal edge strips integral therewith, said strips each comprising a corner portion exposed at the side margins of the running surface generally flush with said surface, an integral web portion extending inwardly from the corner portion of the edge, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced T- shaped tongues extending from the web, a first set of said tongues extending from said web in a plane substantially parallel to said running surface and a second set of said tongues extending upwardly from said web at an angle to said first set into regions traversed by reinforcing fibers different from those reached by the first set of tongues, the T-shaped portions of the tongues of each of said sets cooperating with the fibers in said different regions of the ski to thereby firmly secure said edge to said ski.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the angle between said sets of tongues is substantially a right angle.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 in which a tongue of said first set alternates with a tongue of said second set along said web.

4. The combination defined in claim 1 in which some of the tongues of at least one of said sets of tongues are longer than other tongues of said set.

5. The combination defined in claim .1 in which said web is of lesser thickness than the corner portion of said edge.

6. A ski of molded resin reinforced with a plurality of generally parallel, laterally spaced and longitudinally extending fibers, said ski having continuous metal edge strips integral therewith, said strips each comprising a corner portion exposed at the side margins of the running surface generally flush with said surface, an integral web portion extending inwardly from the corner portion of the edge, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced T-shaped tongues extending from the web into the body of the ski and disposed in a common plane, said tongues comprising first and second sets, the tongue of the second set being longer than the tongues of the first set and alternating therewith, the tongues of the second set extending into regions traversed by reinforcing fibers different from those reached by the first set of tongues, the T-shaped portions of the tongues of each of said sets cooperating with the fibers in said ditferent regions of the ski to thereby firmly secure said edge to said ski.

7. A ski of molded resin reinforced with a plurality of generally parallel, laterally spaced and longitudinally extending fibers, said ski having continuous metal edge strips integral therewith, said strips each comprising a corner portion exposed at the side margins of the running surface generally flush with said surface, an integral web portion extending inwardly from the corner portion of the edge, said web being of lesser thickness than the edge at the corner portion, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced T-shaped tongues extending from the web, a first set of said tongues extending from said web in a plane substantially parallel to said running surface, and a second set of said tongues extending upwardly from said web at substantially a right angle to said first set into regions traversed by reinforcing fibers different from those reached by said first set of tongues, a tongue of said first set alternating with a tongue of said second set along said web, the T-shaped portion of the tongues of each of said set of tongues cooperating with the fibers in said ski to thereby firmly secure said edge to said ski.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,126,152 8/1938 Suits 280-11.13 2,213,903 9/1940 Davidson 28O-1l.13 2,581,532 1/1952 Hem 280-1113 2,695,178 11/1954 Rheinfrank 280-1113 2,743,113 4/1956 Griggs 280-1113 2,971,766 2/1961 Holley 28011.13 FOREIGN PATENTS 572,337 3/1959 Canada.

1 83 ,23 6 6/ 193 6 Switzerland.

215,420 9/ 1941 Switzerland.

218,662 6/ 1942 Switzerland.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

MILTON L. SMITH, Examiner. 

1. A SKI OF MOLDED RESIN REINFORCED WITH A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY PARALLEL, LATERALLY SPACED AND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FIBERS, SAID SKI HAVING CONTINUOUS METAL EDGE STRIPS INTEGRAL THEREWITH, SAID STRIPS EACH COMPRISING A CORNER PORTION EXPOSED AT THE SIDE MARGINS OF THE RUNNING SURFACE GENERALLY FLUSH WITH SAID SURFACE, AN INTEGRAL WEB PORTION EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE CORNER PORTION OF THE EDGE, AND A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED TSHAPED TONGUES EXTENDING FROM THE WEB, A FIRST SET OF SAID TONGUES EXTENDING FROM SAID WEB IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID RUNNING SURFACE AND A SECOND SET OF SAID TONGUES EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID WEB AT AN ANGLE TO SAID FIRST SET INTO REGIONS TRAVERSED BY REINFORCING FIBERS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE REACHED BY THE FIRST SET OF TONGUES, THE T-SHAPED PORTIONS OF THE TONGUES OF EACH OF SAID SETS COOPERATING WITH THE FIBERS IN SAID DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE SKI TO THEREBY FIRMLY SECURE SAID EDGE TO SAID SKI. 